Arthur Avenue suggestions

[RickiG]

I will be taking some cousins from Australia who I've never met to Arthur Avenue for lunch on Friday. My cousins are from Ingham, Australia, which is the "Little Italy" of Australia (Italians emigrated there to cut sugar cane), so I figured I'd show them my (now deceased) grandmother's neighborhood and show them what an American little Italy is like. I haven't been to Arthur Avenue since I was a kid so I am not at all familiar with the place.

I'm looking for a place close to shops that we can walk around to. Looking for a not-fancy, not-too-expensive place that is warm and friendly. The food doesn't need to be amazing, just good is good enough, but I'm hoping for a place where the the waiter or owner will take time to talk to us and make my cousins feel welcomed.

Type of food does not matter, though they do like seafood.

You suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks

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Arthur Avenue Cafe
2329 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[soundsource]

tra di noi on 187th st. and they're open for lunch (closed mondays)

[johnindabronx]

Some of the places mentioned are not restaurants but really great salumeria's or butchers like Teitel Bros. or Calabria Pork Store. Truly the best places for lunch are Mike's Deli and Cafe Mercato in the Public Market. Not fancy but fantastic food and authentic atmosphere. Have a Bronx Tale sandwhich at Mikes and the square pizza and chicken francese at Mercato.

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Calabria Pork Store
2338 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Mike's Deli
2344 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Cafe al Mercato
2331 Hughes Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[bklynsausage]

Pasquale Rigolettos was the best on the Avenue. But the last few times I have been there it has slipped. Robertos would be my choice for now and of course as others said have lunch at Mikes in the market it is a great experience if you have not done this yet... Ciao

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Pasquale's Rigoletto
2311 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[thew]

i'm no expert on the hood but had a more than decent meal at enzo's this weekend

[bob96]

Enzos is for me the best traditional choice. I've found Roberto's food to be interesting and well done sometimes, but the place can be cruelly uncomfortable and overbearing. Mike's Deli has a wide range of eats, but its shtick is tired. Calabria Pork Store is the real, fragrant thing. And don't forget Teitel, for an even more real throwback to the corner salumeria. Amazing prices and atmosphere. Look down at the tile entrance for a surprising icon. Terranova bakery on E 187 for classic country bread in the simplest of settings. Good lemon ice from DeLillo's pasticceria. Dozens of rare grappas and digestivi from Mt Carmel Wines. And coffees and Italian gifts from the store near Calandra's cheese.

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Calabria Pork Store
2338 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Terranova Bakery
691 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

Mount Carmel Wine and Spirits
612 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

Teitel Brothers
2372 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Cerini Coffee & Gifts
2334 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[Striver]

Not sure if Tra Di Noi is open for lunch, but we've had some very enjoyable dinners here, and it might work for you; we found the chef/owner to be very warm and friendly, the atmosphere is casual, prices are reasonable, and the food is good enough to have warranted a listing in Michelin. Phone number (to check on hours) is: 718-295-1784; the location is on 187th in the heart of the area.

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Tra Di Noi
622 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

[foodsnob14]

Pasquales Riogoletto is perfect, great food and atmosphere.
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile...

[bellagamba22]

Respectfully disagree. Roberto's is the only destination-worthy restaurant. You also HAVE to go to Mike's Deli.

[UnderemployedInNYC]

Bella, I totally agree with you. Roberto's is awesome. They have regularly changing specials, and I have never been disappointed. Mike's Deli is also a must visit. Even if you don't have room in your tummy for a sandwich, by some cured meats and some cheese- I love the smoked mozzarella, the prosciutto, and the sorpressatta. I also like Egidio Pastry for sweets, Addeo & Sons for fresh bread, and Calandra's for cheeses .

http://underemployedinnyc.blogspot.com/

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Roberto
603 Crescent Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Egidio Pastry
622 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

[gutsofsteel]

I like Roberto's, but it can get quite expensive. Consider Enzo's instead.

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Enzo's
2339 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

[Striver]

Yes, agreed Roberto's is the best restaurant in the area (and a very good one anywhere) - but in line with the OP's request, I agree that (a) it can easily get pricey (specials are definitely what to order, but pasta specials, for example, can run over $20), and (b) while service has always been fine and Roberto himself, striped chef's pants and all, will pop up from time to time, it's not the small, quiet, casual kind of place where the owner or chef will take the time for a chat with a non-regular (although maybe more likely at lunch than dinner).

If the OP was looking for the best place in Belmont, regardless of price, I'd definitely have said Roberto's - but based on his criteria, I'll stick with Tra Di Noi - although gutsofsteel's vote for Enzo's (good pricing, casual, large portions of solid Italian-American fare) is also worth considering.

Shopping is another thing - my favorite deli is Casa Di Mozzarella for just about anything (and the best fresh mozz around); lard bread from Addeo's, provolone bread from Madonia's; Calabria pork store is a must-stop as is Borgatti's for fresh pasta (the large cheese ravioli are terrific); current preference for pastries is either De Lillo's or Morrone's; for meat, either Biancardi's or Vincent's. .

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Biancardi Meats
2350 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Borgatti's
632 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

Addeo Bakery
2372 Hughes Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

De Lillo Pastry Shop
606 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

Casa Della Mozzarella
604 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

Morrone Pastry Shop
2349 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Vincent's Meat Market
2374 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Tra Di Noi
622 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458